Former Obama trade representative Ro Khanna — the Democrat who’s challenging seven-term Democratic Rep. Mike Honda in the Silicon Valley — has hit the airwaves with the first TV spot in one of the nation’s most contentious House races.

Khanna never mentions Honda’s name in the spot, called “My promise.” But he certainly takes a whack at the established political types in the commercial.

Here’s the spot:

Here’s the script:

“Isn’t it time that Congress started living like the rest of us?

I’m Ro Khanna and I’m committed to changing business as usual in Washington.

So here’s my promise to you: I will never take money from corporations or lobbyists. And I’ll say no to the special perks in Congress: no pay raises, no fancy trips funded by special interests, and no gold plated pensions.

I approve this message because the powerful have plenty of voices in Washington – it’s time you did too.

It’s the premiere salvo on the airwaves in the CD-17 race, where Khanna has so far maintained a 4-1 cash advantage over Honda. Also running is Republican Vanila Singh, a Stanford doctor.

We fully expect to see pushback and some sharp spots from Honda as well — given his support from South Bay labor, and most of the Democratic House delegation, as he aims for an eighth term.
Stay tuned.